06.30.10 — Quartet, et al

Quartet by Howard Sparks

All things shall perish from under the sky,

Music alone shall live

Music alone shall live

Music alone shall live, never to die.

— German folk song

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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Puzzle by Kristian House, edited by Will Shortz

The quartet of CROWN JEWEL (17A. Conk the “You Were Meant for Me” singer?), CLAW HAMMER (62A. Scratch the “2 Legit 2 Quit” rapper), HARBOR SEAL (10D. Protect the “Kiss From a Rose” singer from the cops?) and TICKLE PINK (28D. Amuse the “Get the Party Started” singer)? are the interrelated group of this eminently hummable Wednesday crossword.

Other — AD-LIBBED (21A. Did improv), ELEMENTS (38D. Mendeleev’s tabulation), NOVELLAS (49A. “Billy Budd” and “Of Mice and Men”), PIT STOPS (26A. Truckers’ breaks), SNUBNOSE (9D. Revolver feature, perhaps), TYPECAST (53A. Pigeonholed, in moviedom).

Mid-size — BALERS (47A. Some farm machinery), DALLAS (8D. Miss Ellie’s soap), DEWARS (4D. White Label Scotch maker), HASAGO, INGOTS (14D. Bars at Fort Knox), JOYOUS (18D. Festive), LAVISH (40D. Like an inaugural ball), RELOAD, SCORNS, SOWETO (57A. Site of a 1976 South African uprising), LAWMAN, STACKS (48D. IHOP servings).

Five-letter — ANKLE (42A. House arrestee’s bracelet site), ASSOC, DAMNS (66A. Sends to blazes), IRINA and NORMA, PCLAB, SCOTS, Play by a different SET OF rules, SITAR (44A. Instrument that’s usually played cross-legged), SPITS, STEEL (39A. 1943 penny material), STEIN, SUITS, TOMEI (13A. Marisa of “The Wrestler”).

Short stuff — AMT, AMOS, ANNO, APSE, ARKS, ASIN, CRI, DENT, EERO, EMMA, EMIT, ERIC, EYED, FILA, HORA (2D. Dance done to “Hava Nagila”) and HOYA, Harry James‘s “I HAD the Craziest Dream“, INCA (22A. Quechua speaker), IOWA (6D. Early caucus state), ITCH, KITE (65A. Cousin of an eagle), LICE, MEAD, NAPE, NATO, ORSO, ROYS, SHAM, SLIP, SPED, TADA, TATE, TENT, THE, TIED, URSA (19A. Major in astronomy?), WED, YSER (54D. River through Flanders).

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 5. Knotted up; 9. Bedding item; 15. Georgetown athlete; 16. Rab bit punch target; 20. Attempts, with “at”; 23. Rogers and Bean; 25. The “A” of A.D.; 30. Has contempt for; 33. Dernier ___; 34. Goes well with; 36. Org.; 37. Cause of head-scratching, perhaps; 41. Architect Saarinen; 46. Tbsp., e.g.; 51. Radiate; 52. Nike competitor; 61. Speller’s words of clarification; 64. Car door ding; 67. Torah holders; 68. Floored it; 69. Defense grp. Since 1949. DOWN: 1. Trigger finger problem?; 2. Dance done to “Hava Nagila”; 3. Andy’s partner in old radio; 5. Everyday article; 7. Checked out; 11. Cathedral recess; 12. Drink in “Beowulf”; 22. Quechua speaker; 24. Rotisserie parts; 26. Programming class locale, perhaps; 27. “Three Sisters” sister; 29. Oktoberfest memento; 31. Singer of the “Casta diva” aria; 32. Tartan hose wearers; 35. Play by a different ___ rules; 43. Children’s author Carle; 45. Do a musketeer’s job; 50. Wyatt Earp, e.g.; 53. “Look what I did!”; 55. Break one’s resolution, say; 56. ___ Modern (London gallery); 58. Austen classic; 59. Camper’s carry-along; 60. Roughly; 63. Got hitched.

06.29.10 — On the Prowl

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Puzzle by Peter A. Collins, edited by Will Shortz

BLACK AND WHITE (39A. With 41- and 43-Across, cop cruiser … or a description of the fife animals named in this puzzle), SNOW LEOPARD (20A. Asian cat), KILLER WHALE (60A. Shamu, for one), ZEBRA (13D. Equus quagga), PANDA (30D. One of the 2008 Olympic mascots) and SKUNK (53D. Polecat) constitute the interrelated group of this Tuesday crossword.

Other — BINOCULAR (3D. Like some vision), DAMPENED (42D. Made less intense), LEONORA (25A. Heroine of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore”), LET IT BE (45D. 1970 #1 hit whose title follows the lyric “Speaking words of wisdom …”), SENORITA (6D. Potential enamorada), SIMULATOR (36D. Flight training equipment), SOWHAT (51D. “Who cares?”), SPRINTS (53A. Some track-and-field training), STARE AT (9D. Ogle).

Mid-size — ALOSS, AWIRE, BRAWL (4D. Melee), CLEAR, DONOW, ECOLI, ERATO, HOTEL, KLINK, LOBBY, NACHO, NAVAL, PENAL, PROWL (57A. Move stealthily), POSEY, RISER, SCROLL (44A. Form of many a diploma), SLOES, TERSE, TIMOR, TOCSIN (35A. Alarm bell), WHOLE, YELLED (5D. Bellowed).

Short stuff — AMAS, ANA, ARIE, ATOP, BALE, BARR, “La Belle et la BETE” (French fairy tale), CALC, DAB, DRIP, EARS, EBBS, ECU, ELSE, ESTD, ETAT, IAMB, ITEM, KOI, KYRA, LAPS, LESS, LIE, LOTT, MAI, METZ, NEED, NENA, NOVA, OMEN and OWEN, RDA, SANS, STA, TOON, TOR, UMA, and we‘re “Back in the USSR”.

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06.28.10 — Rara Avis

The elusive Veery (Catharus fuscescens) 

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The Veery is a small thrush—related to robins and bluebirds and other thrushes. They’re about 6 inches long, have pink legs and a longish, thin bill. They feed on insects and fruit and are common in dense, moist woodlands and along the vegetation near brooks and streams.  But getting a glimpse of them may prove difficult. Their reddish-brown upper body has a whitish belly, gray flanks and a gray face and blends beautifully with the forest understory where they scratch for bugs among pine needles and dead leaves.  Duncraft.com Wild Bird Blog for Nature Enthusiasts 

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Monday, June 28, 2010

Puzzle by Joel Fagliano, edited by Will Shortz

Repetitive double-vowel-A syllables get a work-out in this very playful Monday crossword — RARA AVIS (5D. One in a million); VA-VA-VOOM (10D. “Hubba hubba!”); MAMA SAID (38D. 1961 hit for the Shirelles); PAPA BEAR (40D. Owner of the largest bed Goldilocks tried); LA LA LAND (20A. Dreamy state); BABA WAWA (56A. Gilda Radner character on “S.N.L.”).

Other — LET LOOSE (29A. Unshackle) and OXYMORON (47A. Clearly confused, e.g.) at eight letters each, followed by seven of six — FITS IN (53A. Isn’t an odd one out), JEWFRO (50D. Curly ethnic hairstyle, colloquially), LIVE TV (26A. Broadcast with little room for mistakes), 49A. PAJAMA party (sleepover), PHASER (22A. “Star Trek” weapon), RENAME (48D. Put a new title on), SQUARE (4D. Equilateral quadrilateral), STOP IT (9D. “Cut that out!”).

Five-letter — ADOBE (61A. Hacienda material), APART, ELENA, EMBAR, ICEAX, JABBA, LASSO, LATEN, LEMUR (25D. Ring-tailed primate), MAMBA (65A. Lethal cousin of the cobra), MOBIL, OBAMA (30D. First president not born in the continental U.S.), REPRO (18A. Copy, for short), RULES, SARAH (42A. Politico Palin), SETUP, SICEM (31D. Words to an attack dog), SIXAM, RERAN, UPEND, XEROX (35D. Copy, of a sort), VEERY (28D. Small American thrush).

Short stuff — ACE, ALEX and APEX, AREA and ARIA, ATTN, AXIS, BOMB, DAM, ERR, ESTD, EXES, FAME, FLAT, GAEL, HELM, HOPI, IRAQ and IRAS, JADE, JAGS, JILL, LAPD, LIEU, LIVE, LOTS, MACE, MAXI, MEN, NADA, OXEN, RENT, ROAD, SIRE, TEXT, TSAR, VERA, VEST, WANE (58D. What moons do after full moons).

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06.27.10 — Cryptic Crossword

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Cryptic Crossword by Daniel Raymon

Across — 1. Vacuum you loaned to an auditor is full of juice (9), SUCCULENT; 6. Was brooding for bike with an engine (5), MOPED; 9. Erect an exotic stage again (7), REENACT; 10. Landlord's mail (7), LETTERS; 11. Bad imp lies about a human trait (10), BIPEDALISM; 12. Somewhat overbroad, its literal meaning is "word" (4), VERB; 14. Passed Spanish painter almost outside Nebraska (4,2), GONEBY; 15. Mob I prosecute for plundering (8), BANDITRY; 17. Toss refuse at showcases (8), FEATURES; 19. Uninitiated French author/editor is tickled (6), AMUSED; 22. That woman's a goddess (4), HERA; 23. Ineffectively deals with topless Pennsylvania people and the French (10), MISHANDLES; 26. Hold back part of a song (7), REFRAIN; 27. Throw back during summer month (4,3), AREARUG; 28. Overthrow champion tennis player (5), EVERT; 29. To Ed, venue change eventually went smoothly (6,3), EVENEDOUT

Down — 1. Brush off gardener's concern (5), SHRUB; 2. Enter secretly with Canadian Indian piece of jewelry (5,2), CREEPIN; 3. Active university fight around cute "bear" (2,3,5), UPANDABOUT; 4. Former doctor lost honors (6), EXTOLS; 5. Capitalism anywhere has charm (8), TALISMAN; 6. Breed's winning move (4), MATE; 7. Thwart spin doctoring incident (7), PREVENT; 8. Didn't listen to Diana's doctor during childbirth and watched closely (9), DISOBEYED; 13. In Chad, a man developed earliest figures (4,3,3), ADAMANDEVE; 14. Uncanny foresight? Accept it without question (4,5), GIFTHORSE; 16. Delaware intended insubordination (8), DEFIANCE; 18. Near shooter, somewhat (1,6), ATRIFLE; 20. New Orleans is a city inhabited by Italians (7), SALERNO; 21. Meandering Sherpa is articulate (6), PHRASE; 24. View subpoena in hearing (5), SIGHT; 25. Lacks the power to tilt (4), CANT

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06.27.10 — To Thine Own Self Be True

Caravaggio’s Narcissus

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Sunday, June 27, 2010

TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE, Puzzle by Michael J. Doran, edited by Will Shortz

The title of this puzzle is from an otherwise disinterested Shakespeare, borrowed to cloak eight clues — irate, isled, islander, Iran, iPhone, ibid., icon and ideal meant to be parsed as I affixed before rate, sled, slander, ran, phone, bid, con and deal each forming a short sentence identifying the mysterious first-person’s occupation within the interrelated group of this Sunday crossword.

Irate, 23A. FILM CRITIC

Isled, 28A. OLYMPIC LUGER

Islander, 52A. TABLOID WRITER

Iran, 88A. ELECTION LOSER

iPhone, 109A. TELEMARKETER

Ibid., 117A. EBAY PATRON

Icon, 33D. PONZI SCHEMER

Ideal, 42D. CASINO WORKER

Other — ACHES FOR (74A. Greatly desires), AGES AGO (49A. Way in the past), AMAROSO (37A. Lovingly, in music), ART MAJORS (11D. Drawers in some college dorm rooms?), ASTORIA (35D. Area in Queens), DISBANDS (66A. Breaks up), ED MEESE (101A. Attorney general under Reagan), ENCLOSE (72d. Pen), EXEMPTS (93A. Lets off), LAMBERT (4D. St. Louis airport), LICKING (68A. Rout), MINEOLA (94D. Long Island town where the Wright Brothers experimented), PEA COAT (73A. Double-breasted winter wear), SALUTES (15D. Private greetings?), SEA STAR (97D. Ocean dweller with five points), STRIKE ONE (81D. Call from home?).

Six-letter — AGENDA, AISLES, ALLSET, ASKSIN, DEPEND, EGRETS, ENCINO, GETSET, ICEAXE (69D. Sherpa‘s tool), LANCET (68D. Surgeon‘s tool), MORALS, NOREST and NORISK, RECORK, REDSEA (24D. Part of Eritrea’s border), RUMPLE, SKOPJE (39A. Macedonian capital), SOARED, UNFELT.

Five — ALEVE, ALIBI, ĀTMAN (25A. Universal soul, in Hinduism), ATRIP, BARER, BIERS, BIKED, CHASE, DARLA, DARTS, DRURY, EMAIL, ENOCH, EPSOM, ERINS, EVIAN, GORES, HOLED, HOURS, 105D. “Me, Myself & IRENE,” 2000 Jim Carrey movie, ISTLE, LEPER, LLOYD, LAURA, LUTSK (7D. Ukranian city in W.W. I fighting), MACON, NENES, OLLIE, ONINE, PECAN, PISAN, RAYON, SRTAS, SWALE, SYNCS, TERIS, THANE, TITHE, TITIS (52D. South American monkeys), TRAIL.

Short stuff — ACTI, AGEE and AGOG, ALIT, ANNA, ASL, BIT, CAM, DDAY, DEER, ELAN, ERAT, EROS, GAEL, HER, IER and IES, IGET and ISEE, KARL, LIEN, LIZ, LOVE (26A. Troubadour’s subject), MINE, NAS, NEED, NEVE, OLIO, OPEN, ORA, ORBS, OYER, PAW, RANT, REL, RHO, ROC, RUT, SAND, SER and SERT, SKÁL, SIRS, SITU, SLUR, SPF, STER and STIR, STOP, TINE and TUNE, TOGA, TRES, TROW, UNI, WII, YAO.

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06.26.10 — Gasp!

Protesters running for air as they are surrounded by tear gas. Biddu, West Bank, Palestine, photo by Oded Balilty, AP, 2004

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Saturday, June 26, 2010

Puzzle by Robert H. Wolfe, edited by Will Shortz

Conflict rules in this solemn Saturday crossword, headlined by three 15-letter remarks of opposition and suspicion — SOMETHING’S FISHY (17A. Rat smeller’s words), DON’T DO THAT AGAIN (37A. Warning to a pest) and ARE YOU KIDDING ME (56A. "Seriously?"). Conflict and chaos ensue in earnest with WRATH and IN ANGER (23D. Face reddener; 44A. Way to look back?), the uncooperative NOT TODAY (1A. Procrastinator’s reply), the heated LAYS INTO (63A. Rails at) and OVERCAME (15A. Beat), the omnipresent REN (36A. Neurotic toon), INFEST (10D. Take over), STEN (35D. 9-mm. weapon), a full dose of TEAR GAS GUN (30D. Folks may cry after it’s shot.) and a flip and rude command to EAT IT (34D. 1984 hit with the lyric “Have a banana, have a whole bunch”). Whew! Plenty of NOS (1D. They’’re not positive).

Other — ABBESS, ANISES, ARGON, ASPHALT (50A. Court cover-up?), BARREL, ECHOES (43d. Hollow replies), FIANCE, ICE PALACES (32A.Winter sports arenas), INDOOR, LIGATURE (61A. Artery binder), REGULAR (24A. Alternative to premium), SECOND, TAKE TEN (20A. Break), TEMP AGENCY (3D. Placement aid), WHITE HORSE (41A. Trading center during the Klondike gold rush).

Five-letter — DYNES, CHEST, FISKE, HAULS, STILL, WADES (23A. Doesn’t go swimmingly?), YENTA (Grapevine cultivator?).

Short stuff — ABA and AHA and ASA and ASI and AMI, ADIT, ALOW, ANTI, ARAB (50D. Many a dinar spender), CHI, COHN, DAHL, DIA, EDGY, EEO, ELK, ERY, GAD and LAD, MR T, NERI, NOSE (12D. A hook might give it a hook), OCTA, OVO, PEAL, PYRE (42. Phoenix construction), RIAS, SERB (51D. Dinar spender), TREE.

I’m outta here!

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 9. Engagement party?; 19. Roll; 21. ___ bonus; 28. Heathrow takeoff sound?; 40. Elvis Presley was one: Abbr.; 42. Unit in an erg’s definition; 45. Jewel holder; 49. “___ said …”; 53. They’re often associated with world leaders. DOWN: 2. Egg head?; 4. Pistachio or almond; 5. Prefix with -valent; 6. Gary who invented the Pet Rock; 7. 1960s-’70s Citroen; 9. Big name in college guides; 14. Colliery access; 13. Columbia Pictures co-founder; 14. Green attachment?; 18. Knock (about); 21. Anhydrous; 22. It goes by quickly; 25. Baltimore neighborhood that includes Marble Hill; 26. Bar mitzvah, e.g.; 27. On a deck beneath; 29. Composition of some plasmas; 30. Folks may cry after it’s shot; 31. Members of the carrot family; 33. Loop setting, briefly; 38. Brainstorm outburst; 39. St. Philip of Rome; 46. Does semi-related work?; 47. Pennsylvania’s ___ Mountain (skiing area); 48. Allay;53. Envelope-pushing; 54. Cousins of fjords; 55. What may start climactictally?; 56. Grp. Concerned with precedents; 57. Semana segment; 58. Chain-sporting star; 59. Job ad abbr.

06.25.10 — I Do...

The Bride and Groom of the Eiffel Tower, 1939, Marc Chagall

In our life there is a single colour, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the colour of love" - Marc Chagall

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Friday, June 25, 2010

Puzzle by Robin Schulman and Byron Walden, edited by Will Shortz

I DO in five single squares — IDO IDO IDO IDO IDO (34A. Abba hit of 1976) and I DO in four more squares in the grid constitutes the interrelated group of this brilliantly festive Friday crossword. Wordplay, the New York Times Crossword Blog, reports an insider acrostic message — BYRON AND ROBIN TODAY WILL BE SAYING I DO, via the starting letters of each Across clue. For a photograph of the couple (with an adorable dog), an interview and more information with Jim Horne’s assessment — HERE.

The corresponding downs to I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO — PLAC[IDO] (20D. Spanish man’s name that means “peaceful”), PA[ID O]FF (26D. Bribed), IS[IDO]RA (27D. George Sand title heroine), SK[I-DO]OS (28A. Some snowmobiles) and [I DO]TTER (35D. Punctilious type, slangily).

The remaining four squares containing I DO produce LIB[IDO]S (3D. Teen drivers?) crossing TV [IDO]L (19A. Davy Jones or any other Monkee); MA[ID O]F HONOR (11D. Shower holder) crossing DIDGER[IDO]OS (18A. Native Australian winds), hear one HERE; SA[ID O]K TO (39D. Accepted) crossing CHIL[I DO]G (45A. Ballpark fare); and PER[IDO]T (49d. Birthstone for most Leos) crossing HUM[IDO]R (59A. Good place for a smoke).

Other — ATE KOSHER (51A. Shunned shellfish, say), FROTHERS (40A. Implements in a coffee shop), I PURITANI (31D. Bellini opera set in the English Civil War), LODESTARS (15A. Navigational reference points), PASSED OFF (20A. Relayed to), PLANT FOOD (56A. You might get it at a nursery), PONTOONED (58A. Nautically equipped, in a way), PROFANERS (12D. Sacrilegious types), WINE CASK (30A. Tun), WORTH A LOT (30D. Dear).

Mid-size — ALEVE, ALIAS, AMITY, AS AM I (48D. “Same here“), ASNER, ATRIA, ATROPOS (10D. Mythological thread-cutter), BEGET, ERRATUM (42D. Slip), ENRAPT (47A. Engaged, and then some), FASTER, GO FOR, NO ONE, OKAPIS (25A. Inhabitants of central African rain forests), PALPS (1A. Bug detection devices), PART V, PAULSON (4D. Geithner’s predecessor at Treasury), REBUT, SEDONA (16D. Red Rock State Park location), SILENT R (38D. February 4th, to some?), STARR (57A. “It Don’t Come Easy” singer, 1971), TARRY, TOP HAT (23A. Bowler alternative), TRUSS and VESSEL.

Short stuff — ADDS, ALDA, AMPM, ARAB, ASEA, EDDY, EKE, HEN (41D. Chick magnet?), HOES, MSS, ORR, PPS and SST (Bird” with a flexible nose), Gateau des ROIS (Mardi Gras dessert), “Dawn of the ROSY fingers …” : The Odyssey (at the very beginning of Odysseus' journey, the "rosy-fingered Dawn" is referenced, an image of youth and a fresh beginning for whatever is to come); SHA, SONO, SOP, STAC, STIR, TERR.

Love me or leave me, make your choice but believe me

I love you

I do, I do, I do, I do, I do

I can't conceal it, don't you see, can't you feel it

Don't you too

I do, I do, I do, I do, I do

Oh, I've been dreaming through my lonely past

Now I just made it, I found you at last

So come on, now let's try it, I love you, can't deny it

'Cos it's true

I do, I do, I do, I do, I do

Oh, no hard feelings between you and me

If we can't make it, but just wait and see

So come on now, let's try it, I love you, can't deny it

'Cos it's true

I do, I do, I do, I do, I do

So love me or leave me, make your choice but believe me

I love you

I do, I do, I do, I do, I do

I can't conceal it, don't you see, can't you feel it

Don't you too

I do, I do, I do, I do, I do

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 6. Yemeni, for one; 10. Red indication on a clock radio; 14. O. Henry, e.g.; 17. Answer; 21. Oiler or liner; 29. Nary a soul; 33. Drench; 36. Yossarian’s tentmate in “Catch-22”; 37. Wooden or metal framework; 55. Aboard a 21-Across, maybe; 60. Incite; 62. Opposite of hatred. DOWN: 1. Final section of T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land”; 2. Brand with the slogan “All Day Strong”; 6. “Crimes and Misdemeanors” actor, 1989; 8. Kicks in; 9. Spawn; 13. Freelance output: Abbr.; 22. Just get (by); 24. Can.’s Northwest ___; 33. Short and disconnected: Abbr.; 46. Fetch; 50. Be a slowpoke; 52. “I am,” in Italy; 53. They might break up a plot; 54. Turning point?; 56. “Also, I almost forgot …”: Abbr.; 57. Doo-wop syllable.

06.24.10 — Huh?!

Nose cone on an ICBM 

"A great flame follows a little spark" — Dante Alighieri

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Thursday, June 24, 2010

Puzzle by John Farmer, edited by Will Shortz

DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM (1A. Find out what’s wrong), IT MAKES NO SENSE TO ME (30A. “Huh?!”) and TAKE A STEEP NOSE DIVE (61A. Plummet … or what this puzzle’s theme answers do) are the interrelated group of this thrashing Thursday crossword. All three result in NOSE as an unnumbered down entry. The print and electronic versions differ in clue numbering. The electronic version has 72 clues with a hyphen to indicate “no clue“, while the print version has 66 clues and is blank where blank is blank. Both have an extra line across, resulting in a 15x16 grid. The electronic version of the crossword appears in this post.

Other — ETHIOPIAN (14A. Like Moses’ wife, per Numbers 12:1), FANNIE MAE (40D. Mortgage giant), MAIL SACKS (17A. Loot in an old train robbery), NICHOLSON (6D. Actor in the Best Picture winners of 1975, 1983 and 2006), SEMIOTICS (66A. Robert Langdon’s field in “The Da Vinci Code”), TRANSACTS (69A. Conducts, as a business).

Mid-size — FT DODGE (9D. Old Army base on the Santa Fe Trail, briefly),GETS TO (50D. Bugs), LASAGNA (46D. “Mangia!” dish), 34A. METHOD acting, MR SULU (45A. U.S.S. Enterprise crewman, to Kirk), ON SPEC (8D. Without assignment), 15D. Peppermint PATTIE, SCARE UP (23D. Get ahold of with effort), SEEPS IN (48D. Come through slowly), STEVIE (55A. Nicks of rock), ST PETER (29D. Subject in many a joke), TO SEED (24A. Downhill).

Five-letter — AGING, AHIKE, AKITA (54D. Dog breed Helen Keller introduced to the U.S. in 1937), AMICI, AUNTS, CAKES (7D. They‘re sometimes upside-down), CHORD (38A. Key combination), DANTE (18A. "A great flame follows a little spark" writer), DEEMS and DEMME (1D. “Philadelphia“ director Jonathan), ENTER, FAMED, HAGAR, ITALY, MANLY, MATIN, NBCTV, PRADA, REIMS, REPEL, STAMP, TASSE, THANE, VEERS (56D. Changes course).

Short stuff — AHAB, ANSA, BODE, CIGS, COIL, DOLE, ENID, EYES, GIL (4D. Jazz great Evans), HYPO, ICBM (30D. Part of the U.S. arsenal), MBA, MLK, NCO, NEVE, OOFS, OKD, OREM, OSE, PANG, PYRO, RANT, REV, SHA, TAD, THOR (30D. Onetime part of the U.S. arsenal), YRS.

So rarely, Father, are they gathered for triumph or of Caesar or of poet, (fault and shame of human wills,) that the Peneian leaf should bring forth joy unto the joyous Delphic deity, whenever it makes any one to long for it. Great flame follows a little spark : perhaps after me prayer shall be made with better voices… The Divine Comedy, Canto I 

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THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 6. Squad leader, e.g.: Abbr.; 9. Oft-talked of; 16. Cawdor title; 19. Monogram of 1964s Nobel Peace laureate; 22. Regards; 25. Sports seasons: Abbr.; 26. Wind up; 28. Coffin nails; 39. “Batman” sound effects; 41. Ignition system expert?; 42. Augur; 43. Jug handle, in archaeology; 44. Turn off; 49. Qualm; 51. “Scream” actress Campbell; 52. Doo-wop syllable; 57. Blow a gasket; 64. Deg. Held by George W. Bush; 65. Senescence; 68. Period before apre-midi; 70. Milan-based fashion label; 71. Sugar suffix. DOWN: 2. “A Farewell to Arms” setting; 3. “Take ___!”; 4. Jazz great Evans; 10. I Kings king; 11. Butch; 12. Welcome word; 13. Regards; 21. Site of Germany’s surrender in W.W. II; 27. Having a permit; 32. Some ‘60s hipsters; 35. Needle, informally; 36. City near Provo; 37. Republican candidate between Bush and Bush; 43. Clara and Harriet, in 1960s TV; 44. Short circuit?; 52. Perforation site; 53. Viking in a Dik Browne strip; 58. Friends of Florence; 59. “More colorful” sloganeer; 60. Café cup; 62. Children’s author Blyton; 67. Whisper.